In the mid-80s, Mercedes-Benz and its Affalterbach-based tuning partner released the 300E 5.6 AMG.
A car of that magnitude needed a far sexier handle than the standard alphanumeric concoction, so it was dubbed The Hammer.
Pure coincidence that a shuffling MC in baggy trousers made waves on the scene around the same period.
This potent iteration of W124 E-Class reappropriated the M117 V8 unit from the flagship S-Class, with the requisite massaging from those boffins at AMG. That gave it a top speed in the realm of pedigreed supercars of the era, such as the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari Testarossa.
It looked the part, with a wide-body kit and black-on-black colour scheme that whispered Knight Rider — or whatever the Deutsche translation of that is. David Hasselhoff was also a big deal in Germany at the time.
The Hammer set the stage for a lineage of fearsome, road-shredding, AMG-fettled derivatives based on the E-Class. Today, that legacy continues.
While the jury is out whether V8 shove will ever be offered in the latest W214, there is a six-cylinder thriller in the form of the Mercedes-AMG E 53. It was launched on local shores this month, and we spent a weekend with the limited-run Edition 1 model, a dozen of which have been allocated to the market, at a price of R3.2m. The standard E 53 comes in at R2.5m.
Edition 1 specification means buyers get it all — from the MBUX Superscreen setup that spans the width of the fascia, to dazzling yellow cabin livery, in addition to more specialised elements from the AMG catalogue such as forged alloys. The alpine grey colour hue is exclusive to the model.
Although the E 53 has taken the hybrid route, its cylindrical sextet under the hood ensures the acoustic prospect is far more compelling than in the four-cylinder C 63.
More on that in a bit. The electrified componentry of the Mercedes-AMG E 53 is accounted for by a 28.6kWh battery, powering a motor that serves up 120kW/480Nm. It can go for up to 100km on zero-emissions electric power.
Combined with the 3.0l turbocharged-petrol engine, the total system output is a considerable 430kW/750Nm. Launched off the line, its claimed 0-100km/h sprint time is 3.8 seconds, besting the acceleration of the previous generation, eight-cylinder E 63.
You might not be tickled by the silence on start-up, but tip the steering-mounted mode selector into Sport+ and the petrol engine's inflection spurs an instant smile.
Under full chat, the six-cylinder has a characterful pitch, with a dollop of bass in one part mixed with a zingy, metallic timbre. Drive it with the sound system off and you can even catch the playful flutter and whistle of the turbocharger on song. The nine-speed automatic slices through its ratios with the efficient predictability of a Swiss timepiece.
Looking at the on-paper details, the expectation is obviously that of a very quick business saloon. But one is taken aback by just how aggressive it feels in the real world, the electric kick bolstered by the meaty upper-cut of the internal combustion engine.
Other areas of the E 53 are similarly hard-edged. The suspension is firm, uncomfortably so, while the bucket seats of the Edition 1 are much too extreme for the character of an E-Class. Yes, even one with sporting ambitions. Egress and entry is so tricky, you may wonder if you should have just gone for a Mercedes-AMG coupé of some variety instead.
The heaviness of the vehicle is also noticeable, particularly under hard braking, where the anchors often feel as if they are straining to arrest the inertia generated by this 2,315kg brute.
Offsetting the heft of the Mercedes-AMG somewhat, is a rear-axle steering system, that dials in a tangibly nimbler sensation into the 4,965mm-long sedan.
Traditionally, performance derivatives of the E-Class complemented the standard vehicle’s dignified, cosseting character with the wildcard of blistering pace and sharpened dynamics.
The E 53 Edition 1 still manages that, but with its unforgiving ride and firm textures, sacrifices the classic E-Class attributes.
The pricing also puts it into tricky territory, because at the same level of outlay, buyers could have a BMW M5 (from R2.5m), which is a tier above not only in performance (with two extra cylinders); but is also more luxurious and boasts superior refinement.
Of course, the E 63 would be the direct rival to the Munich contender, set to be revealed before the year ends. Best not to hold your breath for the return of V8 power though.
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